Group aiming to mentor more young blacks

Clifford Singleton (from left), founding President Frank Dunn and Larry Whitfield attend a recent meeting of the 100 Black Men of America’s San Antonio chapter.

Clifford Singleton (from left), founding President Frank Dunn and Larry Whitfield attend a recent meeting of the 100 Black Men of America’s San Antonio chapter.

Photo: Marvin Pfeiffer<133> /<133>San Antonio Express-News

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San Antonio’s chapter of 100 Black Men recently met at the Plaza Club in the Frost Bank Tower. Top row, left to right, are Larry Whitfield, Clifford Singleton, Richard Johnson III, Warren Rosebrough, Marvin Hurst and Ivory Freeman; bottom row, left to right, are Frank Dunn, founding president; Tony Olsen; Milton Harris, president; Eric Armstrong; and Curtis Blueitt. less

San Antonio’s chapter of 100 Black Men recently met at the Plaza Club in the Frost Bank Tower. Top row, left to right, are Larry Whitfield, Clifford Singleton, Richard Johnson III, Warren Rosebrough, Marvin ... more

Photo: Marvin Pfeiffer /San Antonio Express-News

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Milton Harris, president of100 Black Men of San Antonio, conducts a meeting of the organization at the Plaza Club in the Frost Bank Tower, 100 W. Houston, on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015.

Milton Harris, president of100 Black Men of San Antonio, conducts a meeting of the organization at the Plaza Club in the Frost Bank Tower, 100 W. Houston, on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015.

Photo: Marvin Pfeiffer /San Antonio Express-News

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Richard Johnson III (left) visits with Frank Dunn, founding president of the San Antonio chapter of 100 Black Men at a meeting of the organization at the Plaza Club in the Frost Bank Tower on Tuesday

Richard Johnson III (left) visits with Frank Dunn, founding president of the San Antonio chapter of 100 Black Men at a meeting of the organization at the Plaza Club in the Frost Bank Tower on Tuesday

Photo: Marvin Pfeiffer /San Antonio Express-News

Group aiming to mentor more young blacks

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The beginning of a San Antonio mentoring program goes back 20 years ago to the nation’s capital during the movement called the Million Man March.

Local businessman Frank Dunn was among the hundreds of thousands of African-American men gathered on the National Mall in Washington to commit to be more responsible for their families and confront violence, unemployment and drugs. After the event, Dunn and attendees from other cities phoned each other and brainstormed about how to improve the quality of life for minority males in their communities.

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In 1999, Dunn founded a San Antonio chapter, made up of 10 businessmen and military members, dedicated to mentoring young boys of color. One of more than 116 chapters nationwide, the local group follows a blueprint created 52 years ago. The first chapter of 100 Black Men of America was formed in New York in 1963 by successful black business leaders that included Jackie Robinson and David Dinkins.

“It was just a need for making progress in San Antonio,” Dunn said in his Northeast Side office. “A lot of our males have problems because they don’t have male figures in their lives. We want them to be good men and husbands; we want them to know how to be a man.”

Now the organization is on a mission to recruit more members to mentor young boys of color. Recently at a North Side Starbucks, over chattering customers, piped-in music and the hum of 5 o’clock traffic, the group’s president, Milton Harris, spoke about their drive to help disadvantaged youths.

“Our main thing is gaining more members, and we want to give back to the next generation,” Harris said. “The city is hungry for what we have to offer.”

Currently, a dozen men make up the San Antonio chapter. Harris said they hope to close out 2015 with 25 members.

The group meets every second Tuesday at the Plaza Club in the Frost Bank building. Harris said those interested in joining should first call 210-473-1507 or send an email to the100@100blackmenofsanantonio.org

The group focuses on four areas: mentoring, health and wellness, education, and economic development. Potential mentors are screened make sure they’re a good match for youngsters and are ready to make a commitment to their charges, Harris said.

The group is also involved with in-school mentoring and is hoping to establish a partnership with St. Philip’s College to help reduce the dropout rate among students.

“Our cause is coming together with all black organizations and supporting one another,” Harris said. “It’s going to be a good year.”